Lately I’ve been developing some breakfast pastry recipes for my summer restaurant job here on MV and one of my favorite things to make are scones. But not those dry as sand scones, no sir! These Orange-Poppy Seed Scones, adapted from a CIA recipe, are moist and have a tender crumb structure with some crispy bits on the edges. They’re loaded with Vitamin C from all the citrus zest and a healthy dose of Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds.
Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds, you ask? Well, Virtual Potluck has joined forces with Savory Spice Shop in developing a few new recipes using their products. We each have an entire shop section and mine was seeds; this was were I fell in love with their Dutch Blue Poppy Seeds. I’m the one that goes for the poppy seed bagel 9/10 times at the coffee shop, so it seemed natural I’d bake with them!
Poppy seeds come from a yellowish brown opium plant native to the Mediterranean. They have been cultivated since the 6th century for the seeds, but also for opium, the narcotic that comes from the unripe seed. These mature seeds do not have narcotic properties. Nowadays these tiny blue gray seeds are mainly produced in Holland and Canada. Poppy seeds have a nutty tasting flavor and are mainly used in baking. They are popular in breads, cakes, rolls and cookies. Although poppy seeds are difficult to grind, try dry roasting them first, then buzz them in a coffee grinder or spice mill. To make a paste, soak the seeds in water for 2-3 hours and then process in a blender with a touch of the liquid. Refrigerate or freeze poppy seeds to maintain freshness.
-Savory Spice Shop
Each Virtual Potluck member had a different set of spices to play with, so make sure to stop by Cookistry and check out the round-up post of recipes and giveaways! More spices, more chances to win!
Orange-Poppy Seed Scones

Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cup bread flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange extract
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- ¼ cup sliced dried apricots
- 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon milk
- to decorate: orange zest poppy seeds
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- orange zest
Instructions
- Stir together sugar, flour, baking powder, and vanilla salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk milk and lemon juice until it "curdles". This takes about 2 minutes. Add orange extract, poppy seeds, and apricot slices.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir together. You can do this in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, but using a dough whisk is a faster and easier way to go!
- On a baking sheet fitted with plastic wrap, place dough and naturally form into a circle. Cut into 8 slices and freeze for 4 hours or overnight. I found it easier to cut after 30 minutes in the freezer.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 350F and place frozen scones on greased baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with orange zest and poppy seeds. Bake until golden brown.
- To make glaze, stir together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and orange zest. Glaze scones and serve! You can always serve glaze on the side as well.
- Tweet: Love Spices? Enter to win a spice gift set via @nella22 & @SavorySpiceShop http://bit.ly/INFblt
- Head on over to the Savory Spice Shop Facebook page and post on their wall your favorite spice
- Follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter
- Follow Cooking with books blog via Google Friend Connect (right-hand side bar)
Disclaimer: Savory Spice Shop sent Virtual Potluck members spices to test and develop a recipe with, free of charge. My opinions, as always, were based on product testing and tasting! US mailing addresses only. One (1) winner will be chosen randomly. Prize will be shipped by Savory Spice Shop. The contest ends Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23st via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
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Following on twitter
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We’ve definitely both got scones on the brain! I just posted some too. Yours look wonderful!!!
I follow you via GFC as Cat
Thanks!
I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter (as picatasi)
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I posted on Savory Spice’s FB wall
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I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/picatasi/status/193914805491466240
YUM!!!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE SCONES! Send me one 🙂
I posted on Savory Spice Shop’s Facebook page that I like vanilla extacts.
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I posted that garlic was my favorite spice on Savory Spice Shops facebook page.
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I’m following Savory Spice Shop on twitter: ljskop
now following Savory Spice Shop on twitter
I follow you on google (love it)
I tweeted the giveaway
Oh my the scones are delicious love poppt seeds and citrus pairing and the giveaway so fantastic too! Hey girlie…missing you though get glimpses of you here and there! 🙂
I follow you on GFC!
I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter!
I shared my favorite spice on the Savory Spice Shop!
I tweeted the giveaway! Those scones look so delicious:-) I love orange flavor scones….with orange glaze too he he he! Hugs, Terra
I posted Basil as my favorite spice on Savory Spice Shop’s Facebook page.
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I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter.
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Tweeted…..https://twitter.com/#!/Medicrn16/status/192667707676696578
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I have a thing for scones, and poppy seeds, so these are just screaming my name!
Message tweeted: Love Spices? Enter to win a spice gift set via @nella22 & @SavorySpiceShop http://bit.ly/INFblt
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Like Savory Spice!
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I just want to pick up one of those scones right out of the picture and eat it! These look delicious!
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I follow @SavorySpiceShop
I added a comment on Savory Spice Show’s facebook page.
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I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter.
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I posted on Savory Spice Shop Facebook wall that my favorite spice is the curries and chiles.
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Tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/grobiemum/status/192396054501654528
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I love scones, too! And I fell in love with them the first time I tasted them in the restaurant I worked at – the chef/owner was CIA trained, so it could be the same base for the recipes:)
We use a lot of poppy seeds in (mostly) sweet recipes, and one of these days i’ll bring over my mom’s poppy seed grinder (I know, it is a unitasker, but there is nothing that can grind those pesky seeds better:)
I don’t doubt for a second that your orange poppy seed scones are going to be a hit in the restaurant!
I’m following via GFC! 🙂 Your scones are making my mouth water! Swing by my baking blog if you’d like!
xoxo,
Margaret
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The Bite Size Baker
lucen maravillosos para una rica taza de un calientito cafe, ricooo. tu mami
lemon poppy seed cake was my favorite growing up! these scones look fabulous! how neat that you can develop your own recipes for the summer club 😀
Wow! Those scones look beautiful. Great with a cup of coffee 🙂
“Happy Cooking”
I follow everyone on Twitter and Facebook.
I left a comment on SSS wall on FB – and mentioned you and my favorite spice!
I tweeted the giveaway @icywit
I tweeted your giveaway
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Google Friends Connect – following you publicly as (Louis)
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
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Following Savory Spice Shop on Twitter!
I tweeted your giveaway!
We are so lucky to have a Savory Spice Shop in North Raleigh. Too many favorites: Asian Sprinkle, Herbs de Provence (minimal fennel), Saigon Cinnamon. They grind spices on site, are very involved in local food community. So much better than a perhaps better known chain located downtown.
My mouth is watering, scones are my absolute favorite.
These looks so amazing and I can’t wait to make these. Great job!
It’s so often lemon and poppy seed, nice to see the orange in there!
Looks like the perfect scone! Thanks for sharing.
Following you via GFC (furygirl3132)
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Following Savory Spice Shop on Twitter (furygirl3132)
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Liked Savory Spice Shop on Facebook (Eloise Bowen Carlson) and posted on their wall:
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My hubby loves all kinds of spices, these look and sound really good! I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/furygirl3132/status/191975118212304897
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful giveaway!
Eloise
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
I commented on savory spices fb page
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I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/moo77hb/status/191962468577312768
thank you!
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I would use the Capitol Hill Seasoning in sour cream and top baked potatoes!
I am now following you with Google Friend Connect.
You’re welcome to check out my site, and see if you might like to follow me as well. I can promise you a good time. 😀
I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter.
I posted my favorite spice on the wall of the Savory Spice Shop. It’s cardamom.
I tweeted.
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These do look delicious! Have to find out if they are gluten-free or just for me 🙂 The scones look awesome.
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Can I come over? These scones look TO. DIE. FOR. YUM!!! Great post Nelly.
I could sit back with a cup of tea and one of these scones and be very very happy. 🙂
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posted on facebook love their extracts as real flavor not chemical suppose to be like maple
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yum and tweet https://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/191882311531364352
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/jshallow01/status/191882155067064320
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I wish I had some of these right now; coffee is brewing but nothing quite this good to eat.
Savory Spice was started in Denver so I’m lucky to be able to shop there locally…they have GREAT stuff!
I wish I was at your house this morning, enjoying a few delicious scones with my tea! YUM!
These look so good, Nelly!